36 Free(ish) Things to do This Half Term With the Kids!

36 Things to do This Half Term With the Kids!

Hello lovelies. I hope you’re doing well and looking forward to half term. This is my first half term since being at school! Not that makes me feel old! So this half term we’re off on our merry holidays but if you’re at home and not sure what to do then take a nose through this handy list. There are some great ideas for dry and wet weather. And let’s face it, it’s gonna rain!

Pick your Own

OK so there will be a cost involved with what you pick but this can be a fun way to get out and about! Whether it’s picking a pumpkin or going apple picking, this will keep the little ones entertained

1 – Pumpkin Patches. Head out this half term and pick your own pumpkin. These seems to be the bucket list thing to do right now in the UK. To find a local pumpkin farm, take a look here.

2 – Apple Picking. Apple day typically falls on October 21 and orchards, farms and pick your owns will offer apple picking. Take a look here to find out where you can go apple picking locally.

Outdoor Fun

If the weather is good then why not get out and about. I hate being stuck in with the little man. That’s when cabin fever sets in and that’s when tantrums start. And that’s just me.

3 – Park visits. Head down to your local park for some fresh air.

4 – Find out where your local woods are. Pop on your welly boots and go have fun. Why not have a treasure hunt and collect a few things to decorate the home with. Think conkers, acorns, chestnuts and pretty leaves.

5 – Geocaching. If you’re not sure what geocaching is then take a look here at my beginners guide. The app does cost but you can use it whenever you head out. Geocaching is a really fun way of getting out and exploring new places. It’s a bit like PokémonGo.

6 – PokemonGo. Speaking of PokemonGo…If you don’t fancy Geocaching then download PokemonGo for a bit of fun. Me and B spent last summer wandering round the estate cacthing pokemons!

7 – Junior park runs. We haven’t tried these out as b can get whingey if he doesn’t feel like he’s getting from a to b. Junior park runs take place on Sunday morning, all over the UK. The 2K routes are ideal for the whole family, even prams and dogs. Find your local park run here.

Local Events

Have a look in your local newspaper or your local What’s On website. You’ll be surprised at how many free things are typically on over half terms and school holidays.

8 – Local museums. Try your local museum to see what events they have on over half term. Most local museums are free entry too.

9 – Children’s Centres. It’s worth having a look at your local Children’s Centre to see if they have any events on over the holidays. Sometimes they organise fun days and stay and plays.

10 – Local Churches. Quite a lot of churches offer free family events in our area. Check out your local churches to see if they have stay and plays on during the half term.

11 – Local Schools. A few of our local schools have half term Halloween themed activities on this year.

12 – Local Library. Have a look at your library too for free events and activities for kids.

Free City Farms

We absolutely love Windmill Hill City Farm in Bristol. Have a google and find out where your nearest city farm is located. They are typically free to enter.

Halloween Baking

If the weather is a bit pants then baking is always a hit here with little b. We’ve been working on some super spooky, but super simple Halloween bakes. All these recipes take minutes to make and are no-bake!

Halloween Fun

22 – Why not make a Halloween themed Play-Doh tray? This one here was easy to set up and kept b entertained for all of five minutes!

23 – If you fancy some science fun in the kitchen then try out some spooky gloop. Mix cornflour, water and some food colouring. Enjoy!

Free Events in Local Shops

It’s worth keeping an eye out for free events hosted in stores in your area. I didn’t realise but many do free events and workshops during the holidays.

24 – Pets at Home. Pets at Home run free workshops for you and your kids, with the aim of teaching kids about pet care. Take a look here to see what’s on in your area.

25 – Dobbies Garden Centres run Little Seedlings Holiday Clubs, for kids age 4-10. Activities centre around plans and wildlife. Find out more about the holiday clubs here.

26 – IKEA celebrate 30 years in the UK this year. Lucky us. They’re offering family fun and activities in store. Have a look here if you want to find out more.

27 – Garden Centres. In general I find garden centres useful places to head to if it’s a sh*t weather day. Our local Wyevale garden centre has a huge café, a soft play and some outdoor fun. They typically put on events and activities (paid for) during the holidays.

Aw B was only 2 or so here. I’ve completely photo-bombed him!

Free Museums

Did you know there are more than 170 free museums across the UK?! No I didn’t either! Museums are perfect if the weather is a bit pants. There are loads around the country so it’s worth having a little look online.

28 – The RAF Museum in Hendon is completely free. There’s loads to do for the whole family and they have events and special exhibitions running through the year. It’s worth having a look on their website here.

29 – Bristol M Shed. One of my favourite places in Bristol is the M-Shed. It has lovely exhibits and loads of things for children to see and do. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Bristol with little ones.

30 – The National Football Museum in Manchester has free entry and is ideal if you have little ones obsessed with footie! B isn’t quite there yet! Find out more here.

31 – For an awesome list of free museums across the whole of the UK, take a look at this handy guide on Money Saving Expert. You can drill down to a specific area to find out which museums are free.

Cinema Kids Clubs

If the weather is set to be bad then the Cinema Kids Club are a good back up plan.

32 – Vue cinemas have their Mini Mornings on every morning during holidays. Tickets are £2.49 for both adult and child, which, let’s be honest, is a bargain for a cinema ticket.

33 – Odeon Kids is very similar and for £2.50 kids and adults can watch a film every morning during the holidays. We’ve been on a weekend and b always loves it.

34 – Cineworld do Movie for Juniors where they charge £2 per ticket. Bargain!

Free Sport

It’s worth seeing what taster sessions are on over the half term holidays. Our local swimming pool were offering swimming lessons every day for around £30 during half term.

35 – Lidl are offering free football coaching during half term with FA Lidl Skills. Sessions are open for boys and girls from 5-11 years old.

36 – Local leisure centres. It’s worth having a look at what your local leisure centre has on over the holidays. Some offer kids clubs and some offer sports session.

What are you doing this half term? We’re away and heading to North Devon. I’m really looking forward to some time away from work and the blog! Hopefully this list of ideas gives you something to think about if you’re struggling this October!

Don’t forget to pin this for later and share the post on your Facebook. Your friends will thank you when it’s a wet weather day!